Under the contract, Northrop Grumman will provide 21 AN/AAR-54(V) warning systems along with spares. This contract follows Northrop Grumman's successful completion of a nine-month aircraft integration and test program, during which time the Ministry conducted a competitive fly-off to assess the system capability of ultraviolet missile warning systems. Under its initial contract, Northrop Grumman delivered one missile warning system and spares to the Ministry in support of the fly-off assessment.

"We are honored that Germany has reaffirmed its decision to utilize Northrop Grumman's AN/AAR-54(V) to safeguard the lives of its C-160 crew members," said Bob Del Boca, vice president of Infrared Countermeasures and Laser Systems at Northrop Grumman.

The Northrop Grumman AN/AAR-54(V) is an imaging sensor system that passively detects ultraviolet energy, tracks multiple sources and quickly classifies each source as a lethal missile, non-lethal missile or clutter. The system can be utilized independently as a stand-alone detection system to cue flare-dispensing systems, or as part of an integrated directional infrared countermeasures self-protection suite.

Designed for use on tactical fighter and wide-body aircraft, helicopters and combat vehicles, the AN/AAR-54(V) is currently in production for the U.S. Department of Defense Special Operations Command, Air Force, and National Guard, as well as for the armed forces of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Portugal, Australia, Denmark, Norway, Japan and now Germany.

The value of this contract is $6.2 million.

Based in Rolling Meadows, Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division, the unit that received this contract, designs, develops and manufactures radio frequency and electro-optic/infrared products that protect military aircraft, ships, satellites and ground vehicles from attack by modern weapons; provide tactical aircraft with 24-hour targeting and navigation capabilities; ensure high-value, complex, electronic and electro-optical weapons systems are mission ready; and evaluate defense electronic performance in complex environments.